Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to stop into Minneapolis on Friday, Jan. 18, a day after his government was officially recognized by the United States.

He is expected to address the local Somali community — one of the largest outside the African nation — at about 7 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center, said Omar Jamal, first secretary of the Somali Mission to the United Nations.

Organizers are encouraging attendees to begin showing up about 5 p.m.

On Thursday, the Somali president met with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington and later President Barack Obama at the White House. The U.S. hadn’t recognized a Somali government since clan-based warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

Calling it a milestone in Somalia’s fight against Islamist extremists, Clinton made the announcement Thursday.

Clinton said times have changed, citing the militant group al-Shabab’s retreat from every major Somali city. The U.S. provided $780 million to African forces to help that effort.

The White House also expressed optimism about Somalia’s future and pledged to work with the country’s new government to promote peace and security, improve the economy and boost social services.

Recognition will help Somalia receive greater assistance from U.S. and international aid agencies. Clinton also spoke about re-establishing an embassy in Somalia in future.

In a statement Thursday, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democrat from Minneapolis, welcomed the recognition for Somalia and noted he organized a meeting with the Somali president and 21 members of Congress earlier this week.

“I look forward to working with the Obama Administration and Somali families in Minnesota to strengthen the U.S.-Somali relationship and promote peace and prosperity in Somalia,” Ellison said in the statement.

This report contains information from the Associated Press.

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